<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Chattem,
Inc.'s unaudited financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                           3,120
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,408
<ALLOWANCES>                                       775
<INVENTORY>                                     23,341
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,068
<PP&E>                                          36,998
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,535
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 480,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,116
<BONDS>                                        367,379
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,033
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,137
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   480,618
<SALES>                                         62,728
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,728
<CGS>                                           16,880
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,318
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,806
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,735
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,158
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,577
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (427)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,150
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31